The joyous weekend of festivities draws thousands for a time-traveling, globe-hopping tribute to the extraordinary life and legacy of L. Ron Hubbard at Scientology’s spiritual capital in Clearwater, Florida.

Today marks the 65th anniversary of the founding of the Church of Scientology. Now thriving on six continents, the Scientology religion is experiencing greater expansion than in any time in its history. “You are a spirit,” wrote L. Ron Hubbard in 1954. “You are your own soul. You are not mortal.

When Italy’s Simone Leo, a long-distance runner featured on the Scientology Network in an episode of I Am a Scientologist , finished the Brazil 135—a 48-hour race through mountains and jungles—he became the first athlete to complete all “Seven Sisters” 135-mile ultramarathons.

Scientologists from around the globe embark on the Motor Vessel Freewinds, a Church of Scientology religious retreat, to plan further-reaching expansion and celebrate what was 12 months of unbroken success.

Church of Scientology European Office for Public Affairs and Human Rights hosts a conference on the scriptural roots of interreligious dialogue May 5, organized by the European Interreligious Forum for Religious Freedom.